Free-standing shower stalls

ABSTRACT

A free-standing shower stall including a base, wall panels joined to the base, a rail connected to the wall panels to impart rigidity to the stall, and a drain connection in the base which permits the shower stall to be placed in any desired location. A shower stall as described wherein the wall panels are plastic and are joined together by imperforate, water tight hinges which permit the panels to be folded for shipment in association with other parts of the stall and to be easily erected during assembly.

United States Patent [191 M ustee [62] Division of Ser. No. 158,927. July 1, 1971, Pat. No, 3,751,737, which is a division of Ser. No. 864,716, Oct. 8, 1969, Pat. No. 3,609,773.

[52] U.S. Cl 4/146; 4/145 [51] Int. Cl A47k 3/22 [58] Field of Search 4/145-149,

[451 July 22, 1975 2,741,778 4/1956 Dietrich 4/145 3,587,118 6/1971 Compton 1. 4/146 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 13.835 6/1904 United Kingdom 4/286 Primary ExaminerHenry K. Artis Assistant Examiner-James E. Bryant, [[1

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Watts, Hoffmann, Fisher & Heinke C0.

[ ABSTRACT A free-standing shower stall including a base, wall panels joined to the base, a rail connected to the wall panels to impart rigidity to the stall, and a drain connection in the base which permits the shower stall to be placed in any desired location. A shower stall as described wherein the wall panels are plastic and are joined together by imperforate, water tight hinges 5 References cu which permit the panels to be folded for shipment in UNITED STATES PATENTS association with other parts of the stall and to be eas- 2 389 724 11/1945 Falco 1 4/146 y erected during assembly. 2,648,409 8/1953 Daugherty et a1. 4/145 3 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures 21c -42 ?6 454. 26 26 E=F J, A 1 4 caoss REFERENCE PATENTS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the construction of stall enclosures, and more specifically to a new freestanding shower stall structure.

An object of the invention is to provide a freestanding stall construction including a base. wall panels joined to the base. and a handrail secured to the wall panels within the stall to impart rigidity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new stall enclosure characterized by a light-weight construction which can be conveniently packaged for shipment and easily and quickly assembled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new free-standing shower stall which can be easily installed at any desired location.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new free-standing shower stall including a base and a drain connection in the base which can be easily connected to a drain outlet in the floor ofa building. V A

A further object of the invention is to providea new free-standing shower stall having plastic wall panels connected by water-tight, imperforate hinges which permit the wall panels to be folded for shipment and easily and quickly assemblcdduring installation of the stall. j g e l In the preferred embodiment of the invention. the new free-standing stall comprises wall panels which are joined to the floor or base to define three sides of a rectangular enclosure. When assembled and erected, the rectangular stall is rigid and is adapted to the mounting of a door. such as a. conventional shower door. The floor or base of the stall maybe a molded one-piece construction to which the wall panels can be easily secured by conventional fasteners.

The rectangular shape of the new stall makes it com venient to locate in a building and is an improvement over conventional.semi-cylindrical stalls which do not lend themselves to the mounting of a door and which provide minimum stall area for a given amountof floor space.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of a hand rail which is secured to the wall panels within the stall. The hand rail is secured to the walls in such a maner as to impart rigidity to the stall so that it will not sway and so that the walls are prevented from bowing. The hand rail also is a safety measure and contributes to the convenient use of the new structure as a shower stall.

Another important feature of the invention resides in a novel drain structure which may be provided in the base and which can be conveniently connected to a waste or drain pipe. In the preferred embodiment. the drain structure comprises a drain body which is fitted through a hole in the base and is externally threaded so that a drain casting can be connected. to the drain body below the base. A pipe is in turn connected to the drain casting to extend to an outlet drain of the floor on the building in which the stall is located.

The drain body and drain casting are constructed such that the connected pipe can extend in any direction from the stall. whereby the stall can be located in any desired position remote from the drain outlet. Further. the shower stall can be conveniently installed having the necessary plumbing connections without the necessity of having to remove any part of the building floor on which the shower stall is placed.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention. the wall panels of the stall are formed by sheets of plastic, thereby making the new stall resistant to corrosion which has been a problem with conventional metal stall constructions. The plastic wall panels are joined along their vertical edges by imperforate. leak-proof hinges, which eliminate the need for conventional metal fasteners or the like. The hinged formation of the plastic wall panels leads to the case with which the new stall can be assembled.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the convenient and inexpensive manner in which the shower stall can be packaged for shipment. The preferred hinged formation of the plastic wall panels permits the wall panels to be folded for shipment in association with other components of the stall.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawlngs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a shower stall according to a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the plane indicated by the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the plane indicated by the line 33 of FIG. I and shown on a scale which is larger than the scale of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the plane indicated by the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. Sis a cross-sectional view as seen from the plane indicated by the line 5-5 of FIG. I;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a preferred hinge construction connecting walls of the stall having portions broken away and with the walls laid flat;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the plane indicated by the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the walls of the enclosure of FIG. I folded for shipment;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a support rail for the walls of the stall of FIG. 1 which serves as a hand rail;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view seen approximately from the plane indicated by the line I0-I0 of FIG. 9 and shown on a scale which is larger than the scale of FIG. 9;

FIG. II is a cross-sectional view seen from the plane indicated by the line II-ll of FIG. 9 and shown on a scale which is larger than the scale of FIG. 9'.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view seen from the plane of the line l2I2 of FIG. 9 and shown on a larger scale then that of FIG. 9'.

FIG. 13 is a crosssectional view seen from the plane indicated by the line 13-13 of FIG. 9 and shown on a larger scale;

FIG. I4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing another preferred construction of a hinge between walls of the stall of FIG. I;

FIG. is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing still another preferred construction of a hinge between walls of the stall of FIG. I;

FIG. I6 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the shower stall of FIG. l6 as seen from the plane indicated by the line I7-l7 of FIG. 16 and having parts broken away;

FIG. I8 is a cross-sectional view as seen from the plane indicated by the line I8l8 of FIG. [6;

FIG. I9 is a plan view of parts of the stall which are assembled for shipment;

FIG. is plan view of the assembled parts of FIG. 19 and additional parts of the shower stall which are assembled to form a shipping package; and.

FIG. ZI is a view seen from the plane indicated by the line 21-21 of FIG. 20.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. I illustrates a prefabricated shower stall 10 constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The shower stall 10 includes a base II vertically extending wall panels l2, 13, I4. and a conventional shower door 15. A suitable shower nozzle I6 extends through the wall I4 as do valve handles l7, l8 for controlling the flow and temperature of water sprayed from the nozzle I6. The nozzle I6 and handles 17, I8 are adapted to be connected to conventional plumbing which is not illustrated.

The base 1], FIG. 2, is preferably a molded construction of fiber reinforced plastic and includes a generally rectangular central body portion 19 which defines the floor of the shower stall and an integral. Peripheral flange structure 20. The flange structure 20 includes a downwardly extending support flange 2I formed continuously about the periphery of the body portion 19 and an upwardly extending wall supporting flange 22. The support flange 2I has portions ZIu-(I extending downwardly at the respective sides of the base 11 and the wall supporting flange 22 has portions 22azl extending upwardly from the respective sides of the base. If desired. leveling legs may be provided at the corners of the flange portions 2lu-d.

The body portion I9 of the base II has a raised. pe-

ripherally extending ledge portion 23 adjacent the flange structure 20 and a floor defining portion 24 which slopes toward a central drain opening 25. Suitable supporting ribs 26 are molded in the base 11 beneath the floor portion 24 and the ledge 23 to provide strength and rigidity.

A drain structure 32 is mounted through the drain opening 25. As shown. the drain structure 32 includes a drain body 33 having a cylindrical threaded portion 33a projecting below the floor 24 and an upper flanged portion 33b flush with the floor surface. A strainer 34 may be disposed across the mouth of the member 33 flush with the floor. The drain structure 32 also includes a drain casting or fitting 35 in the form of an elbow. The threaded portion 33a is threaded into the drain fitting and the fitting 35 has an upper flange 36 engaging the bottom side of the floor 24 when the drain body 33 and the fitting 35 are threaded together. Suitable calking or gaskets can be disposed between the floor and the drain elements if desired.

The fitting has a generally horizontally extending arm 37 having a peripheral bead 38 at its end. A plastic pipe 40 (shown in the broken lines in FIG. 2) is forced over the bead 38 so that the pipe is tightly maintained on the arm 37. In the preferred construction. the flange 20 of the base I] is of a sufficient height to permit the drain pipe 40 to extend horizontally below the floor 24 through a notch 41 in a selected one of the flange portions 2111-11. The preferred manner of connecting the fitting 37 to the base by the drain body 32 enables the stall 10 to be installed at a location from the waste pipe (not shown) to which the pipe 40 extends.

Since the fitting 35 and the drain body 33 are threaded together the fitting can be oriented to extend in any desired direction to facilitate installation. Fur ther. the shower stall 10 can be installed without the necessity of tearing up any part of the floor which supports the stall. If desired. the base 11 can be placed directly over the waste pipe and the side connection provided by the fitting 35 eliminated.

The door 15 is hung on a frame including a pair of extruded aluminum structural members 45a, 45b which are attached to the flange portion 22d of the base I I by screws 47 and extend upwardly to a support frame 46. The frame for the door I5 additionally includes a sill 50 which extends between the members 45a. 45b along the flange portion 22d.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the vertical door frame member 45a is generally channel shaped in cross-section and includes aa web 52, a flange 54 along one side of the web and a pair of parallel flanges 55, 56 along the other side of the web. The flanges 55, 56 are spaced apart to define a groove 57 adapted to receive the edge of the wall panel 12. The flanges 54-56 extend inwardly of the shower stall from the web. Parallel rib portions 60, 6I extend along the web between the flanges 55, 56 and the flange 54.

The sill 50 is an extruded member having a generally L-shaped cross-section shape which is supported in an inverted position across the threshold of the door. The horizontal leg 50a of the sill is formed with downwardly porjecting projections 62, 63 which are semicircular in cross-section, are disposed in facing relationship to define a nearly cylindrical space or opening 65 between them. The flange 54 is provided with an opening alignable with the opening 65 on the leg 61 of the sill 50. FIG. 4. A self-tapping screw 71 extends through the opening 70 and is threaded into the sill 50. The vertical leg of the sill 50 is connected to the flange 22d on the base II by fasteners 72 extending through the flange 22d and leg of the sill 50.

The door frame member 45b is constructed and mounted substantially in the same manner as illustrated and described in connection with the member 450 except for the inclusion ofa conventional hinge construction for supporting the door 15.

The support frame 46 at the top of the stall III includes sheet metal angle members 75a-d which are disposed along the upper edges of the walls 12, 13, I4 and the door 15, respectively. The members 75 are mitered at their ends and are secured together by triangular gusset plates 760-1! which insure rigidity of the frame 46. In the preferred construction the frame 46 is assembled by the manufacturer and mounted on the stall I0 as a unit.

The walls 12-14 are secured to their respective frame members 75a-e by screws 77 extending through the vertical leg of each frame member and the associated wall, The members 45a, 45b of the door construction are similarly fastened to the frame member 75d by screws 80.

The walls 12-14 are each constructed from a rectangular, relatively thin planar sheet of plastic material extending continuously between the base 11 and frame 46. In a preferred construction the walls are defined by sheets of fiberglass reinforced polyester resin about 0.065 inches thick. Each wall is formed with appropriately located *knockouts" which can be dislodged to define openings for receiving the shower nozzle and valve handles. Thus the stall can be located and oriented as desired with respect to existing plumbing and only the knockouts in one wall need be removed.

The walls 12, 14 are tightly received in the grooves 57 formed in the members 45a, 45b. respectively (FIG. 3), at the sides of the walls adjacent the door and the walls are bolted to these flanges. The lower edges of the walls rest on the ledge 23 of the base 11 and are tightly maintained against the flanges 22a-d by screws extending through the flanges and walls.

The walls 12-14 are connected together by imperfor ate hinges 84, 85 which are assembled with the walls prior to connecting the walls to the base. The hinges are identical and therefore only the hinge 85 is described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 5-8 the hinge 85 is defined by two strips of plastic tape 90, 91. The strip 91 forms an interior corner of the shower stall extending continuously between the walls 13, 14 while the strip 90 extends between the walls 13, 14 at the juncture of those walls on the exterior of the shower stall. The plastic tape must be of a nonstretching character capable of remaining firmly adhered to the walls when exposed to hot water at temperatures up to about 140F. Tapes which have been found satisfactory are a vinyl tape known commercially as Devon" 120v sold by the Devon Tape Corporation and a polyester film tape No. 850 sold by the 3M Company.

The strips 90, 91 are provided with a adhesive of a character which insures that each strip is bonded securely to the walls 13, 14 and to the other tape strip where overlapping occurs. The adhesive is insoluble in water and since the strips 90, 91 are imperforated, a permanent, flexible water-tight joint is formed between the sides.

The method of constructing the hinge 85 is best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 6 the walls 13, 14 are placed side by side with adjacent sides 13a, 14a spaced apart; for example, the walls may be laid flat on a floor. The tape strip 91 is of greater length than the sides 13a, and 14a and is attached to the walls 13, 14 continuously along their interior (upwardly facing) faces, bridging the space between them. The end portions 91a, 9 lb of the strip 91 extend around the upper and lower sides of the walls 13, 14 and are bonded to the exterior of the walls.

The wall can then be turned over and the tape strip 90 is applied. The tape strip 90 is substantially the same length as the strip 91 and bridges the sides 13a, 140 along the exterior faces of the walls. The end portions 90a, 90b overlie the ends 91a, 91b of the strip 91 and extend around the upper and lower sides of the walls 13, 14 and along the strip 91 on the interior faces of the wall.

The sides 13a. 140, are spaced apart sufficiently to enable folding the walls 13, 14 into confronting relationship (see FIG. 8). This enables efficient shipping and storage of the walls, with the hinges intact. as is described in more detail presently.

A support rail extends about the interior of the shower stall to rigidly support the walls 12-14 intermediate their upper and lower ends. The construction of the rail is illustrated in FIGS. 9-13. FIG. 9 shows the rail to be constructed of two parts 96, 97 connected together to form a U-like rail. The parts 96, 97 are each L shaped. as viewed in plan. and the short legs of each L terminate in tubular sections 100, 101 respectively. These tubular sections are D-shaped in cross-section, see FIG. 13, and the section 100 is telescopically received in the section 101 to secure the parts 96, 97 together and provide a rigid unitary rail construction. A rivet 98 is provided to maintain the sections 100, 101 in position.

The rails proper are generally semi-circular in crosssection with the open side facing downwardly. A reinforcing rib 102 is formed in the rail and extends longitudinally of the rail parallel to the downwardly extending sides.

The rail 95 is rigidly connected to the walls 12-14 and structural members 45a, 45b. The rail 95 is disposed in the shower stall to form side wall portions 103, 104 and a rear wall portion 105 extending along the side and rear walls of the stall. respectively. The projecting ends 106, 107 of the rail are bolted to the structural members 45a, 45!) as shown in FIG. 3. In the preferred construction Speed Nuts are fixed to the ends 106, 107 for receiving the bolts.

The ends 106, 107 of the rail 95 are received between the ribs 60, 61 on the associated frame member. The ends 106, 107 are tightly received between the ribs (FIG. 3) and thus the ribs rigidly maintain the ends square with respect to the frame members.

In addition to supporting the walls of the shower stall the rail 95 is constructed to provide a hand rail. The rail 95 thus includes integral support arms 110 extending between the rail portions 103-105 and their adjacent walls. The arms 110 are generally semicircular in crosssection opening downwardly and each is provided with a pair of longitudinal stiffening ribs 111 extending from the rib 102 to a support flange 112 formed on the arm. The support flange 112 is provided with an opening for receiving a bolt 113 extending through the wall of the shower stall so that the arms 110 are rigidly attached to the walls of the stall. 1n the preferred construction Speed Nuts" 114 are clamped to the arms 110 for reception of the bolts 113. In order to distribute the holding forces of the bolts 113, washers 115 are carried on the bolts. The washers are urged into engagement with the walls by the heads of the bolts.

In addition to the support and hand rail functions. the rail 95 provides suitable receptacles for soap, bottles and so forth within the stall. As is seen in FIGS. 9 and 11 a soap dish 116 is integrally formed in the rail 95 at one corner of the shower stall. The soap dish 116 includes a generally oval support section 117 surrounded by a lip construction 118 which merges into the side and rear rail portions 103, 105 respectively. The support 117 has a generally planar surface with a series of parallel longitudinal ribs 119 projecting upwardly from the surface for supporting soap above the surface. A series of drain openings 120 are provided in the support 117 on opposite sides of each rib to assure water drainage.

A bottle receptacle 122 is integraly formed between the side and rear portions 104. 105. respectively. and includes a generally oval support section 123 having drain openings 124 and ribs 125 which function in the manner described above in reference to the soap dish. 116. The support 123 is surrounded by a continuous side wall 126 which merges into an upper lip construction 128. The lip 128 is of substantially the same construction as the lip 118 of the soap dish 116. The side wall 126 is preferably about three inches in height to provide adequate lateral support for bottles. tubes. etc. which may be placed in the receptacle.

FIG. 14 illustrates another preferred hinge construction 85' for the shower stall. The hinge construction 85' is substantially the same as the hinge construction described in reference to FIG. except that a cylinder 130 of sponge vinyl material extends the entire length of the walls between adjacent sides. The sponge cylinder 130 is adhered to the tape strips 90. 91 and has a diameter approximately twice the thickness of the walls.

When the shower stall is assembled utilizing the hinge construction 85' the cylinder 130 provides a bead-like appearance at the corners of the walls and supports the tape strips. When the shower stall is assembled for shipping. as illustrated in FIG. 8, the cylinders 130 cushion the sides of the walls to prevent possible damage to them or to the tape during shipment.

In some circumstances. it is desirable to reinforce the tape forming the hinges against gouging which can re suit in the formation of holes through the tape strips 90 and 91. Should the tape strip 91 be holed. water could accumulate between the walls of stall at their junctures. and leak from the stall.

FIG. illustrates a modified hinge construction 131 substantially like the hinges 84. 85. but which is reinforced to avoid the possibility of holding the plastic tape strips. The illustrated hinge construction 131 includes reinforcing tape strips 132, 133. which are preferably composed of synthetic fibers for example Rayon. which carry a suitable adhesive. A preferred tape is a bidirectional Rayon fiber tape sold by Behr- Manning and known as No. 295 Behr strapping tape.

To construct the hinge 131, the walls are laid flat and the reinforcing tape strips 132. 133 are adhered to the walls in the same manner as described above in reference to applying the tape strips 90, 91 (FIGS. 6 8). The tape strips 90. 91 are then applied over the strips 132. 133.

As shown in FIG. 15 the tape strips 90, 91 are considerably wider than the reinforcing strips 132, 133 so as that the junctures of the walls are sealed by the strips 90, 91 which firmly adhere to the walls and to the reinforcing strips. The reinforcing strips coextcnd with the strips 90, 91 across the space between the sides of the walls and because of the toughness of the reinforcing tape. sharp objects are not likely to penetrate the plastic tape strips 90. 91.

Although FIG. 15 illustrates two reinforcing tape strips in the hinge. it is contemplated that a single rein forcing strip can be employed. This strip preferably coextends with the plastic strip 90 at the outside of the shower stall.

Referring now to FIG. 16, another preferred shower stall 135 is shown. The stall 135 includes a base 136 supporting a drain construction and three walls 138-140. A wall supporting frame 141 extends about the upper ends of the walls and an access opening 145 is defined by a pair of vertically support members 146, 147 which extend from the base 136 to the upper support frame 141. A sill 150 extends between the vertical supports and is connected to the base.

The walls 138-140 of the shower stall are defined by two sheets 155, 156 of plastic material which are connected together at a joint 157, FIG. 17, extending vertically along the center of the year wall 140. The joint 157 is formed by inwardly extending wall flanges 160. 161 which engage each other along the joint. The flanges 160. 161 are connected by a plurality of staples 162 which extend through and grip the flanges at spaced locations along the joint. Only one staple is illustrated in FIG. 16.

The joint 157 is sealed to prevent water leakage between the flanges. Preferably the joint is covered by a suitable plastic or rubber seal 163 extending the length of the joint on the inside of the stall. The seal includes resilient lips 164 which grip the staples to maintain the seal in position over the flanges.

The walls 138-140 of the shower stall are folded flat for shipment after the joint 157 is constructed and accordingly the walls are joined by hinges 165, 166. The hinges 165. 166 are provided in each sheet 155, 156 of the plastic wall material at the corners so that the walls 138, 139 are foldablc toward each other over the rear wall 140.

The hinges 165, 166 are each integrally formed of the wall material and provide what is termed a live hinge between adjacent walls. These hinges are defined by reduced sectional thicknesses of the material defining junctions of the walls and are considerably more flexible than the walls proper. The plastic material defining the walls is polypropylene. or the equivalent. and the properties of this material are such that the hinges freely flex to provide the live hinge between the walls. In this illustrated shower stall. vertical support ribs 167 are defined in the walls to provide rigidity. The wall 138 is illustrated folded upon the wall by broken lines in FIG. 17.

The access opening is closable by a shower curtain 168 is suspended from a bar 169 connected between gusset plates of the upper support frame 141. The free end and sides of the shower curtain are sus pended adjacent the vertical supports and the sill when the curtain is closed. The marginal portions of the cur tain are anchored in place by fuzz latches 170 (FIG. 18) disposed at spaced locations along these portions of the curtain. Each latch includes a pad 171 of fibrous latching material attached to the members 146, 147 and the sill 150, and a pad 172 of fibrous latch material attached to the shower curtain. Fibers of one pad detine resilient hook-like elements while fibers of the other pad form loops. When the pads are pressed together. hooks and loops engage to detachably anchor the curtain in place.

The shower stall 135 additionally includes a eurtaincd dressing area. A generally U-shaped rod 175 has its end connected to gusset plates on the upper frame 141 on opposite sides of the opening. The bight 176 of the rod 175 projects horizontally away from the access opening. A shower curtain 177 is suspended from the rod 175 by suitable clips premitting the curtain to be drawn about the rod 175. When the curtain 177 is drawn a substantially enclosed dressing area is provided immediately in front of the access opening. The shower stall 10 of FIG. I can also be provided with dressing area if desired.

FIGS. 19-21 illustrate parts of the shower stall 10 organized into an assemblage 200 for insertion in a shipping container. The shower stall components. except for the base or floor 11. are assemblable to occupy a flat rectangular volume for efficient shipping of the parts and wherein the parts are protected against damage during transit.

As seen in FIG. 19 the frame 46 and the handrail 95 are assembled together by tape strips 201 so that the handrail 95 is supported within the frame assembly.

The support frame members 45a. 45b are then laid out parallel to each other with the flanges 54 and 55. 56 extending toward each other. The walls are folded upon each other as shown in FIG. 8. The free side of one wall, e.g., the wall 12. is inserted into the groove 57 in the frame member 450. The free side of the wall 14 is inserted in the groove 57 in the frame member 4517. The walls tit tightly in the grooves 57 so that the assemblage of the walls and frame members is maintained without additional fasteners or other securing devices.

The hinge between the walls l2, 13 is located above the flanges 55, 56 of the frame member 450 while the hinge between the walls l3, 14 is positioned below the flange 55 of the frame member 451). Since the walls l2-l4 are folded into confronting relationship the assemblage of the frame members and folded walls is easily inserted in a rectangular shipping container.

When the walls and frames are assembled the frame and handrail are slid between the frame members 45a, 45!). As seen in FIGS. and 21 the frame 46 and handrail 95 are supported in position between the flanges 54 and the ribs 61 of each frame members.

The ribs 61 and flanges 54 are spaced apart so that the frame 46 is snuggly received between the flange 54 and rib 61 of each frame member. This prevents marring ofthe frame 46 during shipment as a result of shifting position or rattling. This construction further in sures that the frame 46 and handrail do not contact the folded walls during shipment which could otherwise resuit in damage to the walls.

The sill 50 may also be taped to the interior of one of the frame members for shipment. and. if desired. the door 15 (not shown in FIGS. 19-21) may be placed in a protective carton and inserted in the space between the frame members 450. 45babove the folded walls.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity. it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A shower stall comprising:

a. a base having a central body portion which defines a shower stall floor. and a support flange formed about the periphery of said central body portion and extending downwardly beyond said central body portion to maintain said central body portion spaced above a floor upon which said base can be positioned;

b. a drain extending down through said central body portion to define a drain opening in said shower stall floor;

c. a drain fitting elbow below said shower stall floor having a portion connected to said drain body and an arm that extends transverse to a vertical axis toward a part of said support flange. said elbow being rotatable about a vertical axis so that said arm can extend in any desired direction,

d. a drain pipe connected to said arm of said drain fitting elbow and extending through an opening of said flange. and

e. wall structure extending upwardly from said base and secured thereto.

2. The shower stall as claimed in claim I. wherein said drain body has external threads to facilitate connection to said drain fitting.

3. The shower stall as claimed in claim I, wherein said drain body includes a surface engageable with an upper side of said stall floor and drain fitting includes a surface engageable with a lower side of said stall floor, and wherein said drain body and said drain filing are threadable together so that said surface grip said stall floor therebetween.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3 95 39 DATED July 22, 1975 |NvENTOR(5) Bernard E. Mustee tt rs certified that error appears in the ab0ve-tdentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 20, delete "leads" substitute lends Column 2, line 20, delete "case, substitute ease Column 4, line 44, delete "porjecting", substitute projecting Column 5, line 42, delete "a", substitute an Column 5, line 52, after "spaced" insert slightly Column 7 line 53, delete "as" Column 10, line 41, before "drain" insert said Column 10, line 44, delete "surface", substitute surfaces Signed and Scaled this fourteenth Day Of October 1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

C. MARSHALL DANN (ummissr'uner ufParenrs and Trademarks RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer 

1. A shower stall comprising: a. a base having a central body portion which defines a shower stall floor, and a support flange formed about the periphery of said central body portion and extending downwardly beyond said central body portIon to maintain said central body portion spaced above a floor upon which said base can be positioned; b. a drain extending down through said central body portion to define a drain opening in said shower stall floor; c. a drain fitting elbow below said shower stall floor having a portion connected to said drain body and an arm that extends transverse to a vertical axis toward a part of said support flange, said elbow being rotatable about a vertical axis so that said arm can extend in any desired direction, d. a drain pipe connected to said arm of said drain fitting elbow and extending through an opening of said flange, and e. wall structure extending upwardly from said base and secured thereto.
 2. The shower stall as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drain body has external threads to facilitate connection to said drain fitting.
 3. The shower stall as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drain body includes a surface engageable with an upper side of said stall floor and drain fitting includes a surface engageable with a lower side of said stall floor, and wherein said drain body and said drain fiting are threadable together so that said surface grip said stall floor therebetween. 